How can Jesus help you cope with injustice at work?
The most challenging work conflict I've ever encountered occurred while I was an expatriate in Central Asia. I experienced that my international leaders broke promises they had made. When I raised this issue, we engaged in a power struggle that undermined our crucial work to assist those in need. During our discussions, I sensed suspicion and was attributed motives that I did not possess. When we finally left our work in Central Asia a few years later, the organisation we had served was relieved to see us depart.
In the conflict, giving up, packing our bags, and leaving seemed like the most straightforward option. It makes little sense to remain in work affected by conflict when you don't feel valued. Yet we stayed. We felt a calling to the country we lived in and realised that we couldn't just leave, even if the situation was complicated. We found comfort during a prayer session with a team from Youth With a Mission. We hadn't shared any details about the conflict with them. One of the young women on the team began crying as she prayed for me. Afterwards, we asked her why she cried. She said that she saw my leaders beating me. It was reassuring to know that God saw everything. He, not the organisation we worked for, was my employer. He knew the whole story, including my motives.
The bigger story
When our lives are connected to God's greater story, we can gain strength to endure difficult situations at work and in life. He can help us navigate injustice and see beyond interpersonal conflicts. Instead, we can focus on Him and allow Him to challenge and guide us. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. When we connect with Him, He can provide fresh perspectives on what we're experiencing.
This month, we celebrate Easter. The message of Easter encompasses both pain and victory. We must always be careful not to compare ourselves to Jesus; his role was unique, and his death and resurrection changed world history forever. He is the reason for the season. At the same time, we have much to learn from Jesus about enduring pain and persevering through adversity. Here are some important lessons we can take with us:
1. God’s mission is priority number one
Regardless of what company we work for or what we do, God is ultimately our employer. He is the one we serve with our lives, and we can seek His help and guidance through our challenges. Jesus demonstrated this as well. In the Bible, we can read how He follows God's call, even when it leads to shame and death. He does this because He understands that His life has a higher purpose and that He must endure suffering and death to fulfil God's plan. We are called to do the same. Amidst what can seem like unbearable challenges, we must seek God and His will. This will help us see our situation through God's perspective and act as He desires.
2. God does not always bring us out of pain
Easter teaches us that God doesn't always remove our pain. Sometimes, He guides us through suffering. Jesus prayed that, if possible, God would change His plan to spare Him from pain. God's response was to send an angel to help Jesus endure everything. Even with the angel by His side, Jesus feared death. Nevertheless, He continued on the path God had called Him to follow (Luke 22:39-46).
Maybe you're in a painful place right now. Perhaps you're facing conflict in your family or at work. Jesus knows what you're experiencing and always responds to our prayers for help. However, the answer is not always aligned with our desires. He has still not abandoned us. In the Bible, we encounter Job, who endured many hardships. Through Job’s story, we learn that even when we feel we cannot see God, He will bring justice if we only wait for Him. (Job 35:14 NLT)
3. Not all conflicts end well
We believe in an almighty and good God. Accordingly, we also think everything will always end well. However, this is not the case. Jesus' cousin, John, was imprisoned for speaking against the king. After a long time in prison, he was ultimately beheaded (Matthew 14:1-12). Stephen, one of Jesus' followers, was stoned to death (Acts 7). James, one of Jesus' apostles, was killed by King Herod Agrippa with a sword (Acts 12). Hebrews 11 is renowned as the great faith chapter of the New Testament. It describes how many suffered and died for their faith in God. The testimony about them states that they “placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection” (Heb 11:35 (NIV)).
The same God who desires to grant us “a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10, NLT) calls us to follow Him, regardless of the cost. In the workplace, this may involve pursuing righteousness and truth while standing firm against what is false and wrong.
A friend of mine found himself in a workplace conflict when his boss asked him to add extra hours he hadn't worked to his customers' invoices. The boss claimed this was necessary to save the company in a difficult situation. My friend refused to follow the orders because over-invoicing customers is fraud. The situation ended with my friend losing his job. At the same time, the company he worked for was reminded that it was acting unethically. This could lead to change in the long run.
4. God can turn all things into good
God's perspective differs from ours. We must keep this in mind, especially in the face of death. Here on earth, we feel grief when we lose a loved one. However, when someone passes away, they can be welcomed home on the other side.
As long as we live here, God can transform the bad into good. The Bible contains many promises regarding what God brings forth when we persevere through difficulties. Here are two significant results:
Perseverance Builds Character
Romans 5:3-5 states, ‘We also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.’ (NIV)
I've often wondered why God often responds late to our requests. In my experience, this is how God trains us in faith. Faith cannot be developed through theoretical exercises; we must experience that God can be trusted when all other hope is lost. God's training program can be difficult, but when He leads us through it, it shapes our character and strengthens our faith.
I learnt a lot from the conflict I was involved in while living in Central Asia. To a large extent, I clung to what I perceived as my rights. Instead of entrusting my cause to the Lord, I chose to fight for what I believed was right in my eyes. This prolonged the conflict and hindered our work. If I could do it again, I would try to show more mercy, even to those who treated me unjustly. This could have helped us resolve all issues more quickly.
Perseverance brings fruit
Galatians 6:9 states, ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’ (NIV)
It's challenging to continue doing good in the face of injustice or ingratitude. However, the Bible promises that good deeds will bear fruit in due time. Let's hold on to this promise when we feel tempted to stop doing what is good and honorable to the God we serve.
Let Jesus help
We need to practice perseverance. Unfortunately, the training is often uncomfortable and includes injustice and difficulties. The Bible shows us what it takes to stand firm in any trial. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” We may fail if we keep focusing on injustice or suffering. Only by focusing on Jesus will we receive the encouragement and inspiration we need.
We can also trust that God will provide assistance in all aspects. In 2 Thessalonians 3:5, Paul prays for the perseverance of the church in Thessalonica. Let us pray this prayer for one another:
“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”
Steinar Opheim - CEO, Tent International
